Fencing Draft notes:Inspections
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Notes from Earl Marshal for next edition
Review COVID protocols, and remove if no longer relevant.
Changes for v6.0
6.2.3.1.a
- Was
- For rubber-headed spears, check that the tip is flexible, and returns substantially to its original shape within 3 seconds.
- Now
- Check that the rubber tip is flexible, and returns substantially to its original shape within 3 seconds.
- Functional change
- None
- Reason
- Only rubber-headed spears may be used.
- For notes section
- April 2023 - Process updated to remove reference to steel-headed spears.
6.2.3.1.b
- Was
- For metal-headed spears, follow the inspection methods for a bladed weapon.
- Now
- Removed
- Reason
- Metal-headed spears are no longer permitted
6.2.3.1.b (replacement)
- Was
- Not in rules
- Now
- A marshal should not use significant force to make a spear head bend; you should not need more pressure than can be comfortably applied by the wrist. If in doubt and where possible, a second marshal should be used to judge the flexibility of the spear head.
- Functional change
- Sets a more objective measure of flexibility
- Reason
- Most objects can be subject to significant tensile strength and many can return to their original shape within 3 seconds. As written, and as evidenced by some newer spear head designs, a marshal can apply a significant tensile load to a spear head (up to and including significant pressure from a hip whole body movement) to make a spear head "pass". This is unacceptable and unsafe. This is a stop-gap solution until a broader Society flex-test can be developed (underway).
- For notes section
- April 2023 - Spear head flex testing - Most objects can be subject to significant tensile strength and many can return to their original shape within 3 seconds. As previously written, a marshal could apply a significant tensile load to a spear head (up to and including significant pressure from a hip whole body movement) to make a spear head "pass". This was unacceptable and unsafe. The current wording is is a stop-gap solution until a broader Society flex-test can be developed.
6.2.3.2.a
- Was
- Check that the haft is made of appropriate material (rattan for rubber-headed spears; wood or rattan for metal-headed spears).
- Now
- Check that the haft is made of rattan.
- Reason
- Metal-headed spears are no longer permitted
6.2.3.2.b
- Was
- Check that the rattan haft is the appropriate diameter (between 28.5 mm and 35 mm).
- Now
- Check that the haft is between 28.5 mm and 35 mm in diameter.
- Reason
- Rattan is the only material allowed for spears.
6.2.3.2.c
- Was
- Check that the spear is the appropriate length (no longer than 275 cm for rubber-headed spears, or 244 cm for metal-headed spears).
- Now
- Check that the spear is no longer than 275 cm.
- Reason
- Metal-headed spears are no longer permitted